Was traffic in yesterday’s weather worse than it could have been?
And is it the government’s fault?
Fantasy Legislature Commissioner Bob Collins reports that the some state legislators were pretty peeved yesterday about the disastrous traffic.
Steve Murphy, head of the Senate Transportation Committee, held a news conference this afternoon roasting the governor and the transportation department for the poor conditions of the road.
Bob’s observation:
I can’t speak to the hyperbole, but during my ride in at 10, I noticed a couple of things, too: (1) a dinky little snowstorm was causing more hassle than it used to and (2) I didn’t see a snowplow.
On my way home in the afternoon, I briefly saw one plow behind me. I figured between the ice which has been on the ground for weeks and isn’t going to melt anytime soon, and the seemingly unexpected quantities of (blowing) snow, it didn’t surprise me that things were slow going. I don’t know why people don’t just chill out and slow down. Didn’t really think about the plows, though.
Aaron’s got photos from his commute yesterday morning. Anybody surprised by what they saw or didn’t see on the road yesterday or today (because the huge accidents are still ongoing today)?
UPDATE: Loooong discussion in the comments at Roadguy. No major revelations, but it’s funny watching everyone talk about how they’re so much better of a driver than everyone else on the road.
Related posts:
I’m more surprised by what I saw this morning where no snow caused the *same* amount of backup today that I experienced yesterday!
Cedar in Apple Valley was backed up to 42 yesterday and again today. 35E was backed up to Pilot Knob Road because of the single lane leading on to 494 where West bound was backed up.
My thirty minute commute yesterday was 1.5 hours. My thirty minute commute today was an hour!
“I watched someone go over the embankment on 52 (30 or 40 feet)” — Holy shit, Bill! I’ve seen people after they’ve come to a stop, and I’ve seen people slide off to the side, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone tumble off the road so spectacularly.
People always complain about not seeing snowplows during their drive in. When traffic is at a 10mph standstill during rush hour– it’s kinda hard for a giant snowplow to get anything accomplished. Typically they work on clearing the reverse commute.
They plow prior to rush, then after the rush. If the timing of a snow is during rush hour– we’re kinda just screwed.
What drives me nuts is that everyone KNOWS it’s been icy and the roads are gonna be slippery underneath all that snow. WTF, people? I still don’t get how this morning’s commute was just as bad (worse, even) than yesterday’s.
yikes i was a little meeting in st paul and it took me almost an hour to get from Uptown to Grand and Snelling. 35w was horrible. that was at like 9:30. dont you people work 8-5 anymore?